FIRED FOR BEING KIND

[Duchess]

The title is kinda misleading.

A 73 yr. old vet was fired for giving food to what he thought was a homeless person. The "homeless" guy had requested some condiments and the vet threw a corn muffin into the bag with the condiments. Vet gets fired. Right about here I felt a little irate at Cracker Barrel. Do you?

I went on to read that he had been repeatedly warned to stop giving away food. This was the 5^th time he had been written up for doing so. Now people are hassling the restaurant, even going so far as to say they won't eat there anymore.

Why would some in society defend something that clearly went against workplace policy? Because of his age? Because he's a veteran? Why would these things even be an excuse?

[SIXFOOTERsez]

I read that story the other day. The writer apparently thought it was ok to give away other peoples money and that there should be no consequences. The guy was warned several times, his age and status as a vet has no bearing whatsoever on the matter.
The problem with giving food away at a restaurant like that has a lot of implications;
1. its not yours unless you pay for it then give it away
2. So you give it away anyway, next day that one comes back, then he brings friends, or the word gets out and now there are homeless and beggars hanging out around your place of business, how long will your nice family restaurant keep its paying customers?
3. Homeless people are litterbugs, they leave shit all over the place

The guys intentions are good, Bravo. But you should think before you act, what is this going to do?
Maybe nothing, maybe something, your an employee, not an owner, keep that in mind.
5 Warnings is enough to get fired over in most places, way more than enough in many

[ramseycat]

If he paid for the muffins that would be fine. But after the first time he was warned, he should gave stopped. It's great he was being kind and giving but he still has to follow his employers wishes.

[QueenBee]

I read a similar story late last year. A worker at some Fast Food conglomerate, felt bad for a homeless guy who came in out of the cold, something like that, she BOUGHT the guy a cup of coffee. Got reprimanded, or fired because it was "against company policy" to give away food. Is it giving it away if she paid for it??

[ramseycat]

No. If she paid for it and gave it to the man what's the problem? The problem is these establishments don't want homeless people in their stores.